These boys’ displays for their clubs surely give them a shout.
The All-Ireland club campaign is edging towards its closing stages with all of the provincial championships now completed. We’ve witnessed some inspired displays in the club campaign thus far.
Con O’Callaghan has been shooting the lights out for Cuala, Peter Casey has been ripping it up for Na Piarsaigh and Brendan Rogers has been lording it in Derry and Ulster for Slaughtneil. In other news, the grass is green and the sky is blue. These lads have reached frightening levels of consistency over the last couple of years for their clubs, and it’s no wonder their respective counties have taken note.
We’re talking about the players who’ve been lording it in their county championships, who impressed into the provincial campaigns, who’ve stood out the whole way through, yet for one reason or another, they haven’t got the call up to their respective inter-county panels.
There’s still plenty of time.
1. Conor Power (Ballygunner)
The Ballygunner inside forward is brimming with with pace and trickery. His constant goal threat might be the missing ingredient in the Waterford hurlers’ failure to win an All-Ireland title after some near attempts in the last few years.
Power is a willing runner and a productive out-ball for his defenders and midfielders. His low centre of gravity makes it near impossible for defenders to mark him.
Conor Power of Ballygunner celebrates after scoring his side's second goal of the game! pic.twitter.com/ev7MZyANEF
— sportsfile (@sportsfile) October 22, 2017
They get to close to him, and with a dummy or quick shimmy he’s left them for dead, they give him too much space and he picks out a pass or knocks over a score.
His finishing is deadly, marked by six goals in his club’s run to the Munster final this year, including a fine three-pointer in that final.
Cúl ag @ballygunnerHc ! Conor Power tar éis é a fháil #MunsterFinal #Hurling. Tá muid beo ar @TG4TV agus youtube Sport TG4 !! pic.twitter.com/sr5A8h62DW
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) November 19, 2017
Power will always look to take on his man, and this threat, this dangerous X factor would be of huge use to Derek McGrath next year.
2. Adrian Breen (Na Piarsaigh)
The 29-year-old is delivering a massive campaign for the Limerick champions this year, rounded off by his 1-5, man-of-the-match display in the Munster decider against Ballygunner.
The half forward has lined out for the Treaty county in the past, in the Waterford Crystal Cup, as it was known in 2015, and in the National League that year, but he’s never really got a proper chance.
Adrian Breen after the game with some fans.. Congrats @NapGAA #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/X92bmNkfj7
— Valerie Wheeler (@ValerieWheeler_) November 19, 2017
It’s left many Limerick fans asking the question, what does he have to do to get his breakthrough?
If he continues this fine form into February and March for Na Piarsaigh, well then John Kiely will find it harder and harder to ignore him.
3. Oisín Gough (Dicksboro, Kilkenny)
Dicksboro won their first Kilkenny title since 1993 when they defeated James Stephens in the final last month.
They were knocked out of Leinster by a rampant Cuala side, but they did put in a good showing on that day.
One of the standout performers in their whole campaign was their half forward Oisín Gough.
In the county final, the youngster came of age with a swashbuckling two goal showing.
Each goal was only as good as the next, with the first finished expertly and awkwardly low to the goalkeepers right hand side, and the second struck with such ferocity, it prompted the umpire to jump out of its way.
This eye for a goal and slick, wristy style shows all the hallmarks of a Brian Cody forward.
You can watch these goals here, and believe us, they’re worth watching.
https://twitter.com/HurlingHotspot/status/924664277352493058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportsjoe.ie%2Fgaa%2Fscoreline-half-time-kilkenny-county-final-shows-pure-end-end-nature-hurling-140659
4. Jack Galvin (Cullion, Westmeath)
Widely tipped in the Lake County to make waves when he reaches the senior ranks. Galvin stands out because of his fitness, and speed off the mark.
He’s extremely accurate, and his ability to shoot off the run is a joy to watch. Has played a key role in Westmeath minor and under-21 teams in recent years, and according to a teammate, he’s primed for big things in the maroon senior jersey.
5. Aidan Morrissey (Liam Mellows, Galway)
Liam Mellows bridged a 47 year gap when they won the Galway county title in 2017. Morrissey, the side’s free taker played a key role in this triumph.
He raised nine white flags in the final, displaying deadly accuracy from frees, but what stood out even more was his contribution from general play.
Has a keen eye for a goal, and is well able to take a point. Micheal Donoghue will be looking to keep his All-Ireland winning forward line on their toes, this could be the man to do just that.
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